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A review by thereadingskeleton
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thank you to B2Weird Book Club, Fierce Reads, and Feiwel & Friends for an ARC in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.
Rep: East Asian cast (Taiwanese author), achillean side character, sapphic side characters
What a gorgeous book—and I’m not just talking about that breathtaking cover. This is such a fun, fast-paced read, and it had me hooked from start to finish.
If I had to choose the shining star of this book, I’d say it’s the unique magic system. I’ve never read anything quite like the tea-making magic of the shennong-shi, and that’s a shame because I absolutely adored it. Tea is such a natural part of the world, so obviously ingrained in every aspect of the culture, and that makes it the perfect venue for the world’s magic.
The characters, too, though, shine. So often, side characters (and even love interests!) end up being dull and flat, but here there are so many compelling characters in the cast that it’s almost a shame (because we don’t get to spend enough time with each of them!). What I loved most about the characters is that many of them have mysterious or murky motives. Their reasons aren’t always immediately clear—and in fact are sometimes downright unfathomable—which is how people really are. People are very rarely easy to read, and I definitely appreciate the author trying to capture that here.
Other highlights include the lyrical prose and a cliffhanger ending (this is the first in a duology) that will have you fighting not to throw the book against the wall.
I will say that this is a pretty plot-heavy book. There’s quite a bit going on, and it does sometimes feel like too much. Because of this, as I mentioned before, we don’t get as much time as I personally would have liked with all of the interesting characters. I think it ultimately balances out (and I imagine YA regulars won’t have many complaints about it), but if you’re happier with books that are character-focused and lighter on plot, this might not be your cup of tea (pun intended).
Rep: East Asian cast (Taiwanese author), achillean side character, sapphic side characters
What a gorgeous book—and I’m not just talking about that breathtaking cover. This is such a fun, fast-paced read, and it had me hooked from start to finish.
If I had to choose the shining star of this book, I’d say it’s the unique magic system. I’ve never read anything quite like the tea-making magic of the shennong-shi, and that’s a shame because I absolutely adored it. Tea is such a natural part of the world, so obviously ingrained in every aspect of the culture, and that makes it the perfect venue for the world’s magic.
The characters, too, though, shine. So often, side characters (and even love interests!) end up being dull and flat, but here there are so many compelling characters in the cast that it’s almost a shame (because we don’t get to spend enough time with each of them!). What I loved most about the characters is that many of them have mysterious or murky motives. Their reasons aren’t always immediately clear—and in fact are sometimes downright unfathomable—which is how people really are. People are very rarely easy to read, and I definitely appreciate the author trying to capture that here.
Other highlights include the lyrical prose and a cliffhanger ending (this is the first in a duology) that will have you fighting not to throw the book against the wall.
I will say that this is a pretty plot-heavy book. There’s quite a bit going on, and it does sometimes feel like too much. Because of this, as I mentioned before, we don’t get as much time as I personally would have liked with all of the interesting characters. I think it ultimately balances out (and I imagine YA regulars won’t have many complaints about it), but if you’re happier with books that are character-focused and lighter on plot, this might not be your cup of tea (pun intended).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Blood